#zafira

TRIK OR TREAT

Mozenrath

Growing up with Destane as his only father figure, Mozenrath carried a deep, rational fear that he might one day repeat the cruelty he endured. Whenever anyone asked if he wanted children, he would immediately deflect, change the subject, or disappear into his work, hoping the conversation would die on its own.

So when Sadira approached him and quietly told him she was pregnant, Mozenrath nearly had a panic attack. It took time—slow breathing, pacing, a few apologies—before he could even process the idea of becoming a father. But once the shock settled, he threw himself into preparation with obsessive determination. He read every parenting book he could find, researched infant development, and baby‑proofed the Citadel to a degree that even Sadira found impressive.

When Zafira was born, Mozenrath froze. He was terrified to hold her, convinced he would hurt her with a wrong move or too-tight grip. Only after a midwife guided his hands did he finally cradle his daughter—and the moment he did, something inside him broke open. He fell in love instantly and vowed, out loud and without hesitation, that he would protect her from every harm the world could offer.

As she grew, Mozenrath became the “My precious child can do no wrong—you’re just jealous” type of father. The idea of disciplining her filled him with dread; in his mind, discipline equaled cruelty, and cruelty equaled Destane. So instead, when Zafira misbehaved, he resorted to harmless but embarrassing punishments—like dressing her up in elaborate doll-like outfits she hated—because it allowed him to correct her without ever raising his voice.

When Zafira reached preschool years, Mozenrath’s anxieties shifted. He wasn’t absurdly overprotective, but he was deeply wary of anyone outside the family getting too close to her. Trust did not come easily to him, and he guarded his daughter’s safety with quiet vigilance. Despite his fears, he adored her with a fierce, unwavering devotion.

Sadira

Despite not remembering much about her own parents, Sadira always dreamed of becoming a mother. The idea of loving someone who was truly hers — and being loved back — was something she longed for since childhood. So when she discovered she was pregnant with her daughter, Zafira, she was thrilled.

She understood why Mozenrath was anxious; she was nervous too. Neither of them had the perfect childhood, but that only strengthened her desire to give her daughter the warmth, stability, and affection she never had.

The pregnancy itself was far from pretty. She dealt with constant nausea, bizarre food cravings, and the unsettling reality of something alive moving inside her. And the delivery? Easily the worst pain she had ever experienced. But the moment it was over and she held Zafira for the first time, everything changed. Sadira felt an immediate, overwhelming joy — she was finally a mother.

She discovered she had strong instincts, though not perfect ones. She was hands‑on, attentive, and unafraid to get messy or exhausted if it meant caring for her daughter. Sadira quickly became the “ride‑or‑die” mother — supportive, protective, and surprisingly in tune with the younger generation.

People died because he lived🗡

I've been rereading We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal and loving it all over again, all while eyeing We Free The Stars on my shelf.